SKG sees first-half loss almost double

PAPER and packaging firm Smurfit Kappa Group (SKG) has seen its first-half loss nearly double.

The company, formed last December from a merger of Jefferson Smurfit and Dutch firm Kappa, yesterday said the combined loss for the two firms in the six months to end June was €110.4 million, up from €54m in the first half of 2005.

The increased loss comes following higher interest charges, operating expenses and restructuring costs from the merger of the two firms.